Goodstart East Sydney

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277 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, 2010, NSW

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7:00am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday

Open every weekday of the year, except public holidays

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Nursery
Toddler
Preschool

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About our centre

Goodstart Early Learning has partnered with the City of Sydney to operate East Sydney Early Learning Centre.
Constructed in 2016, the architecturally designed centre has a striking rooftop play area with views of the city. A nearby playground, The John Birth Memorial, has been upgraded for the centre, and a private bridge over the top of Berwick Lane provides a link to another outdoor learning space.

We have five age-based playrooms across three levels, which are all geared to enhance the children’s learning and development. There’s plenty of space for the children to play and explore, including a large sandpit, large shady trees and gardens, and a variety of outdoor and indoor equipment.

Children at the centre have access to stimulating early childhood learning experiences and curriculum developed and delivered by experienced and qualified teachers. Programs are designed in line with the Early Years' Learning Framework, to enrich child’s individual needs and interests.

We also have a qualified cook who cooks fresh, healthy and nutritious meals for the children each day. The centre provides all meals during the day, including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

Priority access is provided for children with additional support needs, children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and children who speak a language at home other than English.

Helen Szmajda

Centre Director

Hello, my name is Helen, and I am delighted to be the Centre Director at East Sydney Early Learning Centre.

A little about me: I have been working in the education sector since 2006, initially as a high school teacher. While I loved teaching older students, I soon found that the earliest years of a child's life were vital in instilling a lifelong love of learning in children. So I have retrained, over many years completing my Masters of Teaching and a Montessori Qualification. Over the last decade I have worked in a range of roles in both private and not-for-profit settings, both in Australia and overseas.

I am passionate about developing a love of exploration, discovery and learning in all children: these are best fostered in partnership with families, the children's first teachers. For children to achieve the best outcomes in the present and in the future, they must feel welcome and a sense of belonging in their spaces, including early learning centres and the community.

My philosophy about children and their learning is a blend of my experiences in different settings including Montessori, play-based and Reggio-Emilia inspired settings. I believe that children have an intrinsic desire and love for learning that is rich, complex and interconnected.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children, hiking, running, cycling, swimming and engaging in anything crafty.